Research progress on the application of two-dimensional MXenes in stomatology

MXenese is a type of two-dimensional inorganic compound in materials science that is composed of transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides with several atomic layer thicknesses. Owing to the presence of hydroxyl groups or terminal oxygen groups on the surface of MXene materials, they exhibit metallic conductivity similar to that of transition metal carbides. Owing to their excellent optical, mechanical, electrothermal, and biocompatible properties, emerging 2D MXenes are widely used in biomedical fields such as tissue engineering, antimicrobial drugs, photothermal therapy, drug/gene delivery, sensing, and regenerative medicine. In this paper, we review the methods for synthesizing and modifying MXene-based composites, their research and application in stomatology, and their development prospects and challenges in the clinical application of tissue engineering. The biocompatibility and osteogenic properties of MXene and its nanocomposites have the potential to promote cell proliferation and bone regeneration. The anti-bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation properties can be applied to implant coating and prevent caries. The excellent photothermal, conductive, and mechanical sensitivity of this agent make it suitable for drug delivery, bio-photothermal therapy, immune signal sensing, and gene detection. On this basis, MXene has recently achieved outstanding results in the fields of stomatology, including bone tissue engineering, antimicrobial, drug delivery, physical and mechanical enhancement of dental biomaterials, oral cancer treatment, and periodontal disease monitoring. However, research on the prevention and treatment of refractory oral diseases has not yet been reported. At present, the properties and surface modification of MXene-based nanomaterials are relatively well understood. Future studies should focus on the dose-dependent biosafety, cellular and molecular mechanisms, and signaling pathways of MXene to fully exploit its unique advantages in oral clinical and tissue engineering fields.